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1 GD 2018/0045 COMBINED ACTION PLAN FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

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Page 1: COMBINED ACTION PLAN FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE€¦ · 3 REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ISLE OF MAN BY THE CARE NSPECTORATE GOVERNMENT

1

GD 2018/0045

COMBINED ACTION PLAN FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

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To the Hon S C Rodan MLC, President of Tynwald, and the Hon Council and Keys in Tynwald assembled

Foreword

The document is laid before Tynwald for information (July 2018), to fulfil a commitment made in October 2017 to do so, it will return again in July 2019,

when all actions are anticipated to have been completed.

As Chair of Social Policy and Children’s Committee (SPCC) I have received this Action Plan each meeting, updated monthly, since December 2017. The

Committee will continue to review progress against actions until completion.

It comprises three plans, combined as one document at the request of the Committee to address the recommendations from the following reports:

Report of an inspection of services for Children and Young People in the Isle of Man by the Care Inspectorate- Government response to the comments in the

Care Inspectorate progress Review of June 2016

Action Plan to comply with recommendations of the Report of an investigation, on behalf of Tynwald, into allegations relating to the management of case files

and relationships with service users in the DHSC, Children and Families Services

Social Affairs Policy Review Committee Report for the session 2015-16 (May 2016) Children and Families Services

Chris Thomas

Minister for Policy and Reform

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REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ISLE OF MAN BY THE CARE INSPECTORATE

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS IN THE CARE INSPECTORATE PROGRESS REVIEW OF JUNE 2016

Theme 1: Improvement in the provision of effective early intervention and support for children, young people and their families

Progress Review Comment Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a An action plan for the Early

Help and Support strategy should be developed.

Early Help and Support strategy to be

approved by the Children’s Services Partnership (CSP).

Functions of CSP transferred to Lead Officers Group (LOG) of SPCC.

Early Help and Support strategy approved

by SPCC.

LOG to identity a lead officer to develop and implement the action plan for Early

Help and Support.

LOG

COMPLETED

Jul 2018

Chair LOG

b Strategic and funding changes

are required to refocus

existing health and social care service priorities towards early

intervention.

A ‘children with additional needs’ (CWAN)

service funded by the DHSC will continue as

a DESC funded priority for the next three years (2017-2020).

The Children and Family Services Division

(C&F) of the DHSC introduced a new model

of working in 2016, Needs Assessment Robust Risk Analysis Timely Effective

Support (NARRATES), which is now fully established.

Funding for early help and prevention as

part of bigger strategy to be considered

from a potential new joint commissioning budget being considered by Chief Officers

and Treasury.

It is anticipated that the Safeguarding

Board when made statutory will become the appropriate forum to agree the new

joint commissioning agreements needed

See action c theme 3 (page 6)

LOG

TBD when

Safeguarding Act 2018 and

subsidiary

regulations etc. come

into operation

c Health and Social Care staff should have greater

recognition of need of families at an early stage in problem

development.

The professional networks have an agreed continuum of need and thresholds

operating.

The Neglect Toolkit was launched at the

Safeguarding Forum on 21 September 2017.

Thresholds across multi-agency partnership established in 2016. A revised multiagency

escalation process has been agreed.

Provide specific training on the recognition of need at an early stage for all staff

working in agencies with a safeguarding of children remit.

Training commissioned, one course completed, subsequent training courses to

be rolled out. Added to the safeguarding brochure from Sept 2018

Safeguarding

Children Board (SCB)

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

d An assessment should be made of the impact of each of

Examples of current programmes include: Families and Schools Together (FAST)

LOG will request evaluations of all initiatives

Ongoing

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the early intervention

approaches that have developed across children’s

services.

programme

Promoting Alternative Thinking

Strategies (PATHS) Circle of Friends

Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)

Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really

Young (HENRY)

CWAN.

May update: CWAN now fully embedded

June Update from SPCC:

LOG to conduct a spot check “situational

review” of programmes, reverting to SPCC by Jan 2019

LOG

Jan 2019

Chair LOG

e An information sharing

protocol should be created to clarify how and what

information professionals are able and expected to share.

Information sharing will be an aspect of new

legislation in respect of the SCB to be introduced in the 2018/19 legislative

programme.

New guidance on information sharing by the SCB is now in place. Training on information

sharing concerning safeguarding has been provided for staff.

Effectiveness of training on information

sharing in safeguarding situations will be tested by a second compliance audit (due

February 2018).

Advice and guidance will be given to Members of Tynwald on the importance of

information sharing, as their support for front line safeguarding staff is vital.

SPCC

TBD when

Safeguarding Act 2018 and

subsidiary regulations

etc. come

into operation

COMPLETED

Theme2: Improvements in the immediate response to children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect and the key processes which support this

Progress Review Comment Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a Staff turnover in C&F and use

of agency staff needs to

reduce to improve the quality of information sharing.

Substantive recruitment of C&F social

workers remains a challenge but the Isle of

Man is not unique in experiencing this challenge.

Ten colleagues have completed additional

post-qualification training with Queens University Belfast.

Work permit requirements have been lifted for social workers.

Approaches to recruitment and retention

for hard to recruit professionals are under

constant review across the government.

‘Grow your own social worker’ development programme with Robert Gordon University

Scotland to continue (seven colleagues involved at present).

DHSC

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

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C&F is trialling the implementation of 12-

month minimal contracts for non-permanent (agency) staff to reduce

turnover of colleagues, and improve

continuity and consistency.

A new process of induction introduced by C&F in July 2017 seeks greater consistency

in information sharing for all colleagues.

New safeguarding responsibilities /roles had

been introduced Mental Health Services and Noble’s Hospital which have had a positive

effect.

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

b The quality initial responses to safeguarding and wellbeing

issues and to children at risk to themselves or others must

improve.

In 2016, Dynamic Risk Analysis (DRA) was introduced through multi-agency training

providing a consistent methodology. NARRATES has also simplified planning

documentation and incorporates ‘SMART’ objectives focused on outcomes.

Attempts to improve responsiveness to children with emotional health and

wellbeing needs have been made through extending the remit of Children and

Adolescent Mental Health Services to the

age of 18 and making changes to the mental health out of hour’s system.

Cases are subject to audit processes and reported through the quality assurance sub-

group of the SCB

SCB Training &

Development sub-group

(TDG)

COMPLETED

c Assessment of children’s needs must be conducted where

required, and completed to a

high standard in all cases.

Co-ordinating the assessment of risk and need on a multi-agency basis is monitored

by C&F through case audit and monthly file

audits.

C&F Safeguarding and Quality Assurance unit (Independent Reviewing Officer – IRO

- service) management arrangements are

not currently set down in statute as in the UK

Continue monthly file audits of risk and needs assessments.

Establish the IRO service on a statutory basis by amending the Children and Young

Persons Act 2001. An amendment Bill is on the legislative programme for 2018/2019.

Policy framework will need to be agreed

through SPCC prior to drafting. May update

DHSC approval- arrangements for drafting instruction in hand

C&F Senior

Team

DHSC/SPCC

Ongoing

From April 2018

Director

C&F

Director C&F

DHSC

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Legisl’n

Manager

d Chronologies of significant events must be conducted to a

high standard for every child requiring one.

Training and audit on chronologies of significant events has taken place.

Mandatory chronologies will be introduced

in October 2017.

Use of the NARRATES process requires a

review of chronologies for each case.

Mandatory chronologies will be monitored through case audit and monthly file audits.

C&F Senior

Team

COMPLETED

e Assessment of risk must be

conducted where required, and completed to a high common

standard in all cases across services working with

vulnerable families.

C&F monthly reviews of progress on the

maintenance of risk assessment indicated 100% of children needing a risk

management plan had one in place. The DRA is a consistent methodology used

across the professional network Management plans are now outcome-

focussed through following the NARRATES

system.

Mandatory monthly audit of risk

management plans of a high common standard conducted.

Signs of Safety approach are being

evaluated.

C&F Senior Team

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

f Multi-agency communication

and partnership working with

vulnerable families must improve.

Joint training and protocols between some

services demonstrate improved partnership

working.

The digital strategy for safeguarding is currently under development.

This will be monitored alongside

introduction of new information sharing

guidance. Implications of GDPR workshop arranged for July 2018

A relationship protocol will be developed

across agencies: which will include consultation with families, children & young

people. Draft to SCB in Sept.

June update New Chair has committed to

October timeframe for completion.

The Government Technology Service will

ensure that information systems communicate well between agencies.

SCB

LOG

End Oct 2018

ongoing

Chair

SCB

Chair

LOG

Theme 3:

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Stronger collaborative leadership to advance creativity and innovation within and across departments

Progress Review Comment Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a Develop a comprehensive

multi-professional programme of ongoing training for services

working with vulnerable families, and political

members.

A Training Competency Framework will be

launched at the Safeguarding Forum on 21 September 2017.

The SCB produces an annual training brochure.

Safeguarding compliance audits identify some gaps in the provision of training.

Conduct a post-implementation audit of the

Training Competency Framework. May update: Training Competency

Framework only launched in February 2018 (not Sept 17) Therefore audit to occur six –

nine months later

Senior officers and politicians should

actively engage in relevant training; not only front line colleagues.

LOG to communicate this training event

requirement for Senior Officers and

Politicians to attend an event to be organised in Q4 2017/18. Delivered in

March 2018.

Chair of SCB to offer an opportunity to train

in March each year.

AIG/TDG

LOG

SCB

Apr 2018 Revised date

Dec 2018

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

March 2019

Chair SCB

Chair

SCB

b A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment [JSNA] and

resulting action plan should be undertaken for children with

disabilities in the IOM.

A JSNA for disabled children is not scheduled at present.

The CSP has drafted a scoping document

for children with a disability.

DHSC and DEC officers have recently commenced work on the establishment of

an integrated pathway for families and children with disabilities.

Determine a timeframe for a JSNA of children with disabilities to be undertaken

LOG/SPCC to consider themes/areas (as a

menu) or if overview assessments in three

categories to include CYP, working age adults and older people should be agreed

as the programme of activity up to & including March 2019

Develop and implement an integrated service for children with disabilities.

A draft proposal is with officers for comment and review. Appendix 1. Example

of an Integrated Pathway (Growing Up-

puberty and & moving to Secondary school) is provided for SPCC to illustrate.

SPCC

LOG/SPCC

COMPLETED

March 2019

Revised date July 2018

Chair

SPCC

Director C&F

Director Services

for

Children (DESC)

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May update: Produce scoping document for

LOG July 2018

c The requirement to undertake

joint working and commissioning should be fully

explored regarding multi-professional working with

vulnerable families.

Examples of joint working exist, but there is

no process for joint commissioning of services.

Joint commissioning is needed to create

shared accountability. The current

governmental budgetary system makes joint commissioning difficult if not

impossible.

Investment profiles are not published,

preventing understanding of the work undertaken by each department.

Develop a transparent multi-professional

funding model that allows joint working and joint commissioning to function effectively

in the Isle of Man. See action Theme 1 1b (page 2)

LOG

See Theme 1 1b for

alignment of

time frame

d Strategic planning processes

regarding work with vulnerable

families on the IOM need to operate to the highest

standards.

A proposed new structure for governance

and accountability of cross-government

children’s services is with the Chief Secretary.

Functions of CSP to transfer to LOG.

The legislative process has begun which will make Corporate Parenting a legal

requirement.

Children’s Champion first annual report due in 2017.

Current governance processes,

accountability, and mechanisms for

strategic planning regarding work with vulnerable families are being reviewed with

appropriate changes to be announced - via LOG

June update from SPCC : Tynwald Advisory Council on Disabilities had been disbanded

The role of LOG should be considered in

improving strategic partnership working and accountability.

June Update from SPCC: LOG to steer and

update this plan going forward

Seek SPCC approval for legislation and drafting to amend CYPA. May Update

DHSC drafting instruction in hand

A full consideration should be made of

LOG/SPCC

LOG

DHSC

July 2018

Sept 2018

Apr 2018 initiated

COMPLETED

Chair

LOG

Chair

LOG

Director C&F

DHSC

Legisl’n Manager

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setting benchmarks for safeguarding

against UK standards.

e Future strategies for work with

vulnerable families need to be purposefully interlinked,

developed jointly across IOMG and third Sector services, and

linked directly to SMART action

plans in a timely fashion.

At its September 2017 meeting CSP agreed

a revised operational framework and the Early Help and Support strategy. These will

now be presented to LOG for approval.

The effectiveness of strategies for working

with vulnerable families should be evaluated against measurable standards,

with duplication removed and developed further where gaps are found to exist.

See action in theme 1a ( page 2)

LOG

See Theme 1 1a for

alignment of time frame

Chair LOG

f Services should become more focussed on meeting the

specific needs of families

experiencing issues relating to poverty on the IOM.

At present there is no national definition of poverty, housing or homelessness strategy;

and a reliance on charities to support those

in financial need.

Establish policy and legislative arrangements for key areas relevant to

future service development for

housing/homelessness and Poverty.

Develop a co-ordinated strategy between government and third sector agencies for

integrated partnership working in the area

of vulnerable families experiencing child poverty, housing issues and homelessness.

A Cold, Hunger and Homelessness Group

has been set up and lead identified

SPCC

Ongoing

2018

Director

Social

Security

Action plan to comply with the recommendations of the “Report of an investigation, on behalf of Tynwald, into allegations relating to the

management of case files and relationships with service users in the Department of Health and Social Care, Children and Family Services”

Theme 1: Action to Develop Practice

Recommendation Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a Action needs to be undertaken

to secure consistency of

practice and quality of safeguarding work to ensure

that all parents and families receive a good standard of

service

Since April 2016 (when Tynwald approved

the motion to conduct the investigation),

C&F has: established service standards;

replaced assessment processes and paperwork with a simpler model of working

-NARRATES;

Commission training that will become an

intrinsic part of a progression and

development framework for social care staff. May Update: Scoping commissioned

internally for completion in July

C&F Senior

Team

Revised date

end of July

Director

C&F

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introduced a consistent risk assessment

model for safeguarding; established thresholds across the multi-

agency partnership;

introduced a new supervision policy which will be audited annually; and,

Introduced a regular case file audit process.

Link practice competencies with PDR to

make the process meaningful and measureable over the course of the year for

staff. With LeaD timeframe currently

unspecified June update from SPCC: LeaD Manager for 3Cs be invited to LOG to

update on the 3 conversations

Incorporate learning from parental feedback, complaints and reviews into and

annual cycle of staff development seminars.

May update: By end of June Annual Report will be complete. This will include a report

on parental feedback. Learning from which will be fed into Development Days

throughout 2018/19

Cabinet Office July/Aug

2018

From July 2018

Manager

LEaD

Director C&F

b The performance

management arrangements

for individuals need to be

strengthened better to identify

and celebrate good practice

and to address practice that

does not meet expected

standards – and action needs

to be taken to address those

that do not meet expected

standards

Since April 2016, capability procedures

have been used more frequently and are now more robust. Embracing capability as

a supportive practice and a promoter of

professional standards is being encouraged.

Summaries of learning from poor practice

are being shared across C&F and staff

twice-yearly development days deal with emerging practice themes: both good and

poor.

Establish a management development

programme focused on addressing performance and competency issues.

Establish a mechanism for sharing good

and effective practice across C&F.

Case file audits will include seeking

feedback directly from family members on worker performance and experience of the

service.

C&F Senior

Team

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

c Frameworks need to be

developed to support those

working in safeguarding to

address the key learning from

this investigation including:

creating a culture of

professional challenge across

the partnership and within

services; developing forensic

Since April 2016, DRA has been introduced

through multi-agency training and will be part of the SCB training schedule each

year.

NARRATES simplifies planning documents

which now have SMART objectives and are focused on outcomes.

A revised framework for multi-agency

Enhanced investigation skills reflective thinking on fixed views and working with

adolescents will be incorporated into the

specification for commissioned C&F training.

May update: Internal scoping for the

commission now up to the end of July.

C&F Senior

Team

Revised to

end of July

2018

Dec 2018

Director

C&F

Chair SCB

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investigation skills; develop

systems that reduce the

possibility of staff holding a

fixed view of a case; securing

consistent application of the

Dynamic Risk Assessment

tool; SMART planning;

working with adolescence

escalation and reflection has been drafted

and will be presented to SCB in the autumn for approval.

June update: Passage through SCB agreed

with new Chair of SCB

SCB

Theme 2: Partnership with Parents and Advocacy

Recommendation Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a Agencies working with

children and young people

should work with parents to

develop a protocol that

explicitly establishes a

framework within which

relationships between staff

and parents will operate –

setting out expectations of

staff and parents in these

relationships and establishing

some quality standards to

underpin the approach; the

protocol would reflect the

values base referred to below.

C&F has established service standards and has adopted SCB values in its work.

C&F is also working on a full suite of

information leaflets for families.

DESC - has Parent Partnership

arrangements on a range of areas within schools. Specific to Safeguarding, an

information leaflet for Parents ( Primary & Secondary), has been produced outlining

school and parental responsibilities in

‘Keeping Children Safe’

Health Safeguarding team undertook an evaluation of Values (via the Quality

Assurance Sub –group) in April 2017. The

values areas that particularly evidence positive relationship with Parents are

RESPECT, CARING, LISTENING and FAIRNESS.

Draft a “relationship protocol” across agencies and departments; consult with

families, children and young people. May update: new Chair of SCB e-mailed to

determine what timeframe she needs for the protocol to be developed.

June update: Chair of SCB holding meetings

in late June to agree date

Ensure schools promote information on

‘Keeping Children Safe’ to Parents and

children/young people and everyone understands the actions that must be taken

if concerns are raised by children/young people.

SCB

Revised end

Oct 2018

Chair

SCB

b The protocol referred to in a)

above should include

reference to the ways in

which:

C&F has a clear policy and procedure in

respect of kinship arrangements for children and the use of these

arrangements is increasing.

The role of fathers will be incorporated into

the specification for commissioned C&F training.

C&F Senior

Team

COMPLETED

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The role of fathers will be

recognised, valued and

enabled where this is a protective factor for the

child(ren);

Values the place of kinship in family life

Education- will share appropriate

information about a child with fathers if they have Parental Responsibility. Mothers,

fathers and extended family are included

as contacts for the child as agreed by the main carer.

Schools will continue to share information

as permitted

c Consideration should be given

to commissioning an

independent parent

partnership, advocacy and

support service appropriately

experienced and skilled at

operating within the

safeguarding system that

would be available to support

parents across the

safeguarding continuum – and

most importantly in the child

protection and care processes.

C&F has established guidance on what

constitutes a “supporter” and parents with additional needs have access to an

accredited advocate during formal

processes and legal proceedings.

C&F has been exploring the accreditation requirements of advocacy and support

services through the Family Rights Group

in the UK.

There is currently no commissioned advocacy and support service for parents

without additional needs.

Review existing advocacy projects, and

future needs.

Complete a benefits appraisal of preferred

model of delivery.

Establish service specification.

Undertake commissioning and tendering

exercise.

DHSC

Sep 2018

Director C&F

Theme 3: Complaints

Recommendation Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a The current complaints

procedures should be

reviewed and strengthened

C&F has strengthened the monitoring of

complaints at levels 1 and 2, and developed a feedback and learning

template to assist service improvement.

Complaints need to be better managed and

due process consistently applied when Members of Tynwald or advocates are

supporting complainants

Complaints procedures will be reviewed and

updated, following the coming into operation of the National Health and Care

Service Act (anticipated in October 2018)

DHSC Strategy

and Policy

Oct 2018

CEO

DHSC

b Consideration should be given

to creating an independent

complaints function for those

C&F understood that the Independent

Review Body established in the Social

Services Act 2011 provided an independent complaints function, but has found that it

does not. Level 3 complaints are currently

Complaints procedures will be reviewed and

updated (see above)

DHSC Strategy

and Policy

Oct 2018 CEO

DHSC

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complaints that reach level 3. supported through the appointment of

individual independent investigators.

c Consideration should be given

to the creation of an

ombudsman style function to

oversee the complaints.

Tynwald has appointed a Tynwald Commissioner for Administration.

Determine the remit of the Tynwald Commissioner for Administration in respect

of health and care service complaints. June update from SPCC: TCA would make a

first report to July Tynwald SPCC noted PfG target to review complaints

system

Cabinet Office/

DHSC

Jul 2018

Chief

Secret’y CEO

DHSC

Theme 4: Leadership and Management Strategy

a Politicians and chief officers

need to show more visible

leadership of the safeguarding

system, be clear about

collective quality standards

expected, support their

services to achieve these

standards both individually and

in partnership and build public

confidence in the system.

Safeguarding Act 2018 secures statutory

status for the SCB and will also require that the SCB annual report is laid before

Tynwald. This will provide transparency of

assurance processes.

Relevant chief officers are members of SCB and contribute to the assurance process.

Establish a communications strategy to

celebrate good practice and service initiatives.

Train Tynwald Members in safeguarding principles – LOG to communicate with

Politicians See action Theme 3 3a (page 5)

Training delivered by Chair of Safeguarding

Board and Director of Children & Families in March 2018.

Chair of SCB to offer an opportunity to train

in March each year

Cabinet

Office/SCB

LOG

SCB

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

March 2019

Chair

SCB

Chair

SCB

b Be decisive and timely in

identifying improvement

priorities and enabling

implementation.

The Care Inspectorate 2016 Progress Review of services for children and young

people in the Isle of Man will be laid before Tynwald during the 2017/18 parliamentary

session. A multi-agency action plan

following it has already commenced: co-ordinated by the Executive Director, Health

& Care of the DHSC.

Lay Care Inspectorate 2016 Progress Review before Tynwald.

Agree reporting mechanism for action plan

objectives: and link them to this action plan

where appropriate.

SPCC agreed action plan to become standing agenda item for meetings until

further notice.

SPCC

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

Ongoing

review

c Be rigorous in securing

consistent front-line

effectiveness through robust

performance management –

The SCB quality assurance programme is robust, and the first compliance audit in

respect of safeguarding has been completed and received by the Board.

Statutory status for the SCB enhance the standing of its work: including performance

management and quality assurance. May update: Statutory Status Royal ascent

SCB

COMPLETED

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celebrating success and

addressing performance that

does not meet expected

compliance with standards

achieved. Guidance documents completed

by the outgoing Chair

The SCB will then have the authority to

take action when a compliance audit identifies weaknesses or failures in the

work of key agencies and departments.

Procedure for missing children in care Feedback on how the procedure is working

in practice. May update: Full audit has been

undertaken. Report will be available in July 2018

DHA/ DHSC

Revised date

for evidence

of Audit July 2018

Director Social

Policy

Director C&F

Theme 5: Training and Staff Performance Management

a A comprehensive work force

development plan needs to be

to be put in place to address

the key learning arising from

this investigation.

Through partnerships with Robert Gordon

University, Aberdeen and Queen’s University Belfast the service is training

new social workers and enhancing the

qualifications of experienced ones. These arrangements have been operating for two

and three years, respectively.

See action in theme 1a C&F Senior

Team

COMPLETED

b Staff performance

management arrangements

need to be strengthened to

ensure that good practice is

promoted, recognised and

celebrated and that practice

that does not comply with

expected standards is

addressed in a robust and

timely manner

C&F has been steadily addressing these matters. It has this year agreed that

practice standards specific to the division’s work should be reflected in PDR

competencies.

See action in theme 1b C&F Senior Team

COMPLETED

Theme 6: The structural position of the QA unit within line management of the operational services.

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a Consideration should be given

to off-line management of the

Quality Assurance Unit (IRO

service) to enable the function

to operate with a degree more

independence of the

operational service to

strengthen their capacity to

challenge practice across the

partnership of services

delivering safeguarding

functions.

The C&F Safeguarding and Quality

Assurance Unit management arrangements match those in the UK; where no service

operates off-line. Recent researchi suggests that effectiveness is determined by the competence of the officer/s and

statutory independence from case

management, rather than separation from a C&F service.

The IRO service does not have statutory

authority, and the competency of the post

holders has only recently been reviewed. New arrangements have been put in place.

Update IRO procedures.

Establish clear performance measures for

the IRO service.

A Children and Young Persons

(Amendment) Bill is on the legislative programme for 18/19; this will make

statutory provision for and IRO, corporate parenting and after care. Policy proposals

for the Bill are in progress via C&F.

An Adoption (Amendment) Bill is on the

legislative programme for 18/19: this will make statutory provision as to the length of

time care proceedings take. The next step

is for drafting instructions to be prepared and submitted to AGCs.

C&F SMT

DHSC

Strategy and

Policy

Apr 2019 Director

C&F

CEO

DHSC

Theme 7: Regular Review of Services by an Independent body and action to secure improvement

Recommendation Current position Further action Lead By when Owner

a Government should consider

commissioning regular

inspection of children’s

services to support continuous

review and improvement.

Tynwald has agreed that an independent

body should be enabled to inspect services and departments which “work together” to

safeguard children.

SPCC to determine how best to define and

commission such inspections and the framework within which they should be

conducted. June update: SPCC directed LOG to give an

operational view

Commission inspections of children’s

services.

SPCC/LOG Apr 2019

Sept 2018

Chair

LOG

b Government should ensure

there is more robust and

timely collective response to

the findings of inspections

across the partnership of

SPCC to monitor the findings of inspections

and compliance with their recommendations.

June update: SPCC noted this was being

undertaken through their monitoring of

the combined action plan

SPCC/LOG Completed

by April 2019

Ongoing

monthly

Chair

SPCC

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services.

Social Affairs Policy Review Committee Third Report for the Session 2015-16 (May 2016)

Children & Families Social Services

Recommendation As reported to SAPRC (Dec 2016) Further action Lead By when Owner

1 That the DHSC should produce

a training policy to ensure that

the statutory aim of keeping families together is reflected in

the policy and working practices of the Department

This is written into all policies and

procedures reviewed in 2016/17 and

awaiting update on the website that hosts them

DHSC

COMPLETED

2 That the DHSC should make every effort to ensure that

social workers are competent

and are seen as competent; that they communicate

positively, not negatively; that they come with Practical or

emotional help at the outset;

and that they do not give the impression that any with-

holding of consent will be held against a family

The DHSC has robust arrangements now for managing personal information

overseen by Departmental information

governance officers and agreed with the ICO.

DHSC

COMPLETED

3

That the DHSC should undertake public education

with the aim of ensuring that the way that social services

and related agencies actually

behave on the doorstep is adequately communicated so

that people can talk about any concerns they might have and

C&F has commissioned a suite of leaflets for the public

Jan 2018 DHSC - leaflets drafted, awaiting sign-off by Cabinet Office Communications

Team

June update : CEO DHSC inn discussion with Head of Corporate Communications

DHSC/CO

COMPLETED

July 2018

CEO DHSC

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feel confident that they are

going to receive help

4 That legislation to place the

Safeguarding Children Board on a statutory footing should

be introduced into the House of Keys before the end of

2016/17 session.

Legislation securing statutory status for the

SCB will be in place when the Safeguarding Act 2018 and subsidiary regulations etc.

come into operation

Tynwald July 2018 Minister

Policy & Reform

5 That OFSTED should be

enabled as a statutory body

for the inspection of Children and Families Social Services

CEO Inquiries with external regulators is

underway – nothing yet confirmed (we do

know that OFSTED are not interested)

This recommendation in relation to OFSTED

has been exhausted and will not progress,

however the recommendation for inspection is being addressed

See theme 7a in respect of all services p.13 above

6 That the DHSC should be required to produce a

statutory annual Children in Need census to include the

same standard statistical data

required by the Department for Education in Whitehall and

to include any other data as specified by Tynwald

We report quarterly against the CIN categories to the SCB and this requirement

will be fed into the annual report of the SCB.

COMPLETED

7 That the Children & Families Division should encourage and

welcome complaints from families and should deal with

them positively so that lessons

can be learned and any grievances can as far as

possible be resolved.

Processes have been strengthened to enable learning from complaints. An

annual analysis is to be produced from 2017. We have over the past year invited

complainants to speak to staff about their

experience and complaint

COMPLETED

8 That Tynwald Commissioner

for Administration should be appointed and that a statutory

Safeguarding Children Board be listed authority under the

Tynwald has appointed a Tynwald

Commissioner for Administration.

Statutory Safeguarding Children’s Board to

be listed authority

SPCC Jul 2018 Chair

SPCC

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Tynwald Commissioner for

Administration Act 2011

9 That core national policies in

respect of children should not be introduced, amended or

abandoned without the express approval of Tynwald

All policies will go to SPCC. SCB/SPCC Ongoing Chair

SCB